u/apegomoo

*AI generated image*

To start off, I have owned an Extar EP-9 for months now and here is my build:

• HUXWRX Flow 9K Ti
• SBA3 Brace with cheek riser
• Magpul AFG
• Magpul MLOK Covers
• Olight Odin Mini Flashlight with pressure switch
• Holosun ARO Green Dot

First of all, I love this gun. For the price, it’s unbeatable and super fun to shoot. With that said, I rented a Kuna and put 250 rounds through it and here’s my thoughts and this is where I need help.

I honestly didn’t think I’d care for roller delayed system. Extar was already low recoil as is. That’s until I did some rapid fires with the Kuna.

When firing slow single shots, the recoil difference is noticeable but not significant to affect my shot. However when you rapid fire, the recoil difference gap seems to widen.

Is it because of the more rubbery flexible nature of SBA3? (Even though I have it braced very firmly). Or is it because of the flat trigger that seems to be better than the Extar stock trigger? (Who knows).

With the Extar, there’s a noticeable “bounce” when shot rapidly and the energy is transferred to your body. But with the Kuna, the roller delayed system kicks in and feels like the recoil is mitigated within the gun and minimally transferred to your body.

Funny enough, the guys next to my lane was shooting an unbraced MP5 clone that they nicely let me shoot, and it got me researching into AP5-LT I just found out about.

Long story short, I played myself and now I wanna upgrade to a Kuna. Tell me why I shouldn’t upgrade, why I should get the kuna, or why I should get the AP5-LT.

Let me know what yall think

The fact that I got this used for $370 (plus fees) 🤯

After months, I finally joined the club, and I gotta say this gun is way too fun to shoot! It’s quickly become my wife’s favorite, and now she wants one too 😂

Here’s the build:

- Apache Cheek Riser (?): came with the gun when I bought it

- Holosun ARO Green Dot

- Magpul AFG

- Magpul MLOK Covers

- Olight Odin Mini with pressure pad

Being the first gun, I had researched countless amount of hours to think I needed a CZ SP-01 for home defense. I had wanted metal and very low recoil. I bought all the things, changed out the grip, and etc. It was time to send out my slide to get optic milled.

And then I found and shot a Springfield echelon and instantly fell in love with it. First of all, the grip fit me like a perfect pair of gloves. I’ve tried so many different guns and nothing quite fits me like this. The textured finger rests make this so comfortable to shoot. Second, the aggressive serration and divots makes the slide so easy and satisfying to rack. Even though it’s a compact compared to a full size, I actually found the echelon the easiest to shoot with compared to others of the same size. Lastly, it’s optic ready with VIS. The fact that most CZs don’t come optic ready in 2026 is mind boggling.

Overall, I thought I had wanted a metal full size gun that just works. I didn’t want polymer, and I didn’t want compact. But here we are and now this echelon takes the crown for me. Funny how life works

Don’t get me wrong. One day I’ll buy a CZ and appreciate them for what they are in the future as more of a collector sense. But for my first gun, I saved money by going with the Echelon, and in most ways, it fits the bill for what I need.

Build:

- Springfield Echelon 4.0C

- Olight PLX Dual Beam Flashlight

- Holosun 407c-x3 Red Dot

Edit: Thinking about getting a threaded barrel. I have a HUXWRX 9K Flow Ti on the way with a booster set up included and would like to switch between my PCC and this. The suppressor would most likely stay on the PCC for home defense, but I would like to try on the Echelon. Is $150 worth it for the threaded barrel? Will it shoot more like a full size with the longer barrel? Just gathering thoughts